At UTA Libraries’ Special Collections, history doesn’t sit quietly on the shelves; it speaks, challenges, provokes and invites new understanding. Few collections embody that spirit more vividly than the Etta Hulme Cartoon Archive, a remarkable body of work from one of the nation’s most influential editorial cartoonists. Today, Hulme’s work continues to support researchers and spark meaningful conversations in classrooms across campus and around the world. 

A Trailblazing Cartoonist with a Powerful Voice 

Etta Hulme, best known as the editorial cartoonist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram from 1972 to 2008, brought sharp wit, bold commentary and fearless critique to local, national and international issues. Trained in Chicago and even spending time working for Disney early in her career, Hulme carved out her place in a field where women were rarely represented. 

Hulme became the first woman syndicated as an editorial cartoonist, the first woman elected president of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, and the first woman to receive the National Cartoonist Society’s Reuben Award for Best Editorial Cartoonist.  

Hulme’s voice was singular and so was her impact. As Kathryn Slover, Archives Unit Manager and Digital Archivist, explains, “She ruffled a lot of feathers and that’s exactly what makes her work so compelling today.” 

A Collection That Preserves and Teaches 

The Etta Hulme Cartoon Archive was donated to the UTA Libraries in 2015 by the Hulme family, following her passing in 2014. Today, it represents one of the largest and most dynamic collections in Special Collections, comprising approximately 11,000 cartoons, along with sketches, printing plates, personal papers and artifacts. 

This extensive archive is organized into three major series: 

• Personal papers, including correspondence.
• Professional-organization records, documenting her work with groups like the National Cartoonists Society and the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists.
• Art and artifacts, including the tools she used to sketch and ink her drawings. 

The result is a comprehensive and multifaceted look at Hulme’s career, creative process and cultural impact.  

“It’s a really great collection because you can study so many different topics,” Evan Spencer, Outreach and Instruction Archivist, said. “Her commentary touches everything from immigration and elections to local Fort Worth issues. It’s incredibly versatile.” 

A Living Resource for Students and Scholars 

Because the entire run of her cartoons has been digitized, the archive has become a vital teaching tool both on campus and beyond. Each year, the online archive receives about 300,000 page views, demonstrating its global reach and enduring relevance. 

The most frequent viewers outside the U.S. come from Germany, Australia, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, India and Hong Kong. This international audience reflects the timeless quality of Hulme’s work and the universal themes she addressed. 

UTA students in sociology, anthropology, art, political science, and communication engage with Hulme’s work regularly. In Dr. Alma Garza’s sociology courses, for example, students analyze political cartoons across decades to understand themes such as immigration, evaluating how issues evolve or persist over time. 

Art students studying printmaking explore Hulme’s sketches, line drawings, and printing plates to understand artistic development and the mechanics of presswork. Hulme’s materials help bridge centuries of printmaking traditions, connecting modern editorial art to its historical roots. 

What the World Is Looking At 

Across the archive, specific subjects and figures draw considerable interest. Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan is the most popular person depicted in the editorial cartoons, reflecting both his historical impact and Hulme’s sharp commentary on his presidency. 

Some of the most viewed cartoons in the archive focus on geopolitical tensions and global justice issues, topics Hulme tackled with clarity and conviction: 

• US-Soviet Arms Race (1981)
• Separation of Powers (1995)
• Nuclear Arms Race (1986)
• Arms Race (1978)
• Apartheid (1992) 

These standout pieces exemplify the depth of Hulme’s perspective and the enduring impact of her influence. Decades later, viewers continue to turn to her work to learn, reflect and engage with global events. 

Supporting Access and Research Through Thoughtful Organization 

Behind the scenes, the archive is guided by a robust finding aid, which helps researchers navigate its three major series and understand how the materials are connected. The finding aid provides a biographical context, an overview of the collection structure and box-level inventories, ensuring that students, scholars, and educators can locate relevant materials quickly and confidently. 

While Spencer and Slover did not process the archive themselves, they acknowledge the significant work done by former archivist Samantha Summerbell and the many staff members and student assistants who contributed to the digitization effort. Their efforts ensure that the archive remains accessible and widely used. 

A Legacy That Still Speaks Today 

What makes the Etta Hulme Cartoon Archive extraordinary is not just its size or its artistry, but the way Hulme’s voice continues to resonate. Hulme’s cartoons remain relevant, reflecting ongoing conversations about politics, society, justice, identity and global conflict. 

“Anybody can pull any of the cartoons and find something they relate to,” Slover said. “Her work still resonates because so many of the issues she explored are still part of our conversations today.” 

Slover added that for students, the archive offers lessons in critical thinking, historical context and visual communication. For researchers, it provides unparalleled insight into political history, media representation, artistic practice and social commentary. For educators worldwide, it remains a powerful teaching tool. And for all of us, it continues to shape our understanding of issues. 

At UTA Libraries, we are honored to preserve that voice, support the scholarship it inspires, and ensure that the Etta Hulme Cartoon Archive continues to educate, challenge, and engage for years to come. 

To dive deeper into the collection, visit the Etta Hulme Cartoon Archive online.